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Match Preview

Dragons v Titans: Sullivan back on deck; Tino returns to helm

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pan66.com
Timestamp

After the Dragons' final hopes were snuffed out on Sunday they must find a way to recover from the loss before confronting a Titans team buzzing after a big win over Manly.

Seemingly in good shape in eighth position just six weeks ago, the Dragons have now slumped to 11th and will miss the finals for a fourth straight year - the longest absence since joint venture began in 1999.

Meanwhile, despite being well out of the finals race, the Titans have shown positive signs in the past month, desperate to avoid their second wooden spoon in four years.

When these sides met in Round 10 it was the Titans prevailing 20-16 in Magic Round. Justin Holbrook's men then lost 10 in a row before stunning the Sea Eagles at Cbus Super Stadium.

Sportsbet Betting preview: Dragons v Titans

The Rundown

Team news

Dragons: Jayden Sullivan returns from a shoulder injury on the bench, joining Francis Molo as the two players added to the squad in the 24-hour update. Tyrell Fuimaono is the replacement player. 

Titans: Jarrod Wallace is promoted to the starting side, with Jaimin Jolliffe reverting to the interchange. The withdrawal of Brian Kelly on Saturday means Patrick Herbert moves to centre and Greg Marzhew goes to the wing, with Paul Turner the new face on the bench. Erin Clark's season-ending knee injury sees Sam McIntyre moved to hooker. Skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is back after missing round 22 for the birth of his child. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Cody Ramsey
    Fullback for Titans is number 1 Jayden Campbell
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
    Winger for Titans is number 2 Jojo Fifita
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses Mbye
    Centre for Titans is number 3 Phillip Sami
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
    Centre for Titans is number 5 Patrick Herbert
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Tautau Moga
    Winger for Titans is number 14 Greg Marzhew
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone
    Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 AJ Brimson
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
    Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Jack De Belin
    Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCullough
    Hooker for Titans is number 17 Sam McIntyre
  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
    Prop for Titans is number 19 Jarrod Wallace
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Josh McGuire
    2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
    2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack Bird
    Lock for Titans is number 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Aaron Woods
    Interchange for Titans is number 8 Jaimin Jolliffe
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Michael Molo
    Interchange for Titans is number 15 Herman Ese'ese
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Jayden Sullivan
    Interchange for Titans is number 16 Moeaki Fotuaika
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 20 Francis Molo
    Interchange for Titans is number 21 Paul Turner

Reserves

  • Replacement for Dragons is number 14 Tyrell Fuimaono
  • Reserve for Titans is number 18 Corey Thompson

Match Officials

  • Referee: Liam Kennedy
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Key match-up

AJ Brimson v Talatau Amone: The battle of the No. 6s will be among the highlights of the game with both promising halves turning 2022 into true breakout seasons. Brimson has made the switch to the halves this year and is making a good fist of it. The young five-eighth chalked up a try, a try assist and two line breaks in Sunday's win over Manly. Meanwhile at the Dragons, 20-year-old playmaker Talatau Amone has found his form this season. On a disappointing day for the team, Amone stood tall with a hat-trick in Canberra, tormenting the Raiders defence with his sharp footwork.

Stat Attack

Ben Hunt's influence on the side speaks through his stats. The Maroons playmaker led Dally M voting when it went behind closed doors in Round 12 and his form has carried on. Hunt is in the top five for try assists (15), total kick metres (8465m), all kicks (264) and 40/20's (5). The veteran half also continues to lead the NRL with line engagement, totalling 181 for the year. 

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.